The Great Big List: December

1. Join the nation in celebrating his Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday at one of several events happening around the city from December 2-5.

2. Get in the holiday spirit with a trip to Central World and behold Southeast Asia’s largest Christmas tree. Top it all off with a few hours in their impressive winter beer gardens.

3. In the market for a new set of wheels or just want to gawk at the ‘pretties’ on the hood? The 26th Thailand International Motor Expo 2009 is on from December 1st to 13th.

4. Take a day trip to UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya for some ancient history at the World Heritage Fair from December 11-20.

5. Help put a kid through college and load up on incredibly cool handmade stocking stuffers at the Center Point Student Market.

6. Watch Thai-Belgian stunner Palmy perform at the Winter Music Festival at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium.

7. Jim Thomson is just too cool to be a Thai shopping cliche. Silk fans can stock up on the high-end, quintessentially Thai products thanks to prices slashed by 50% to 70% at the annual Jim Thompson Sale from December 11-13 at BITEC Bangna.

8. 'Tis the season for hooking the big ones. Spend a day reeling in monsters of the deep at Bangkok's Bungsamran fishing park.

9.  Street performers invade Lumpini Park for the annual International Street Show from December 10 to 13. Best of all, it’s free.

10. Sip a glass of wine and enjoy some alfresco jazz at Niu’s International Bangkok Jazz Festival December 11 and 12 on Silom Road.

11. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra's much adored “Sunday Concerts in the Park” are back for a three-month run from December 20 at Lumpini Park.

12. Settle into a pillow and dine under the stars at Spring, a restaurant set in a sexy 1970s-era Bangkok-style mansion.

13. Take a break from afternoon shopping and decompress with a hot cup of tea and desserts at one of these four sweet Bangkok tea shops.

14. Channel your inner commando and fire off a few rounds from a faux M-16 in the cavernous warehouse at Jungle BB.

15. Up for some Sunday decadance that includes all you can drink bubbly? Feast on a riverside champagne brunch at The Peninsula.

16. Hear "Say a little prayer for you" by its original crooner. The legendary Dionne Warwick will perform live at the Thailand Cultural Center on December 20. 

17. Take advantage of Bangkok's rare cool weather with a round at one of these nine Bangkok golf courses approved by a pro.

18. Give mom something she'll really love this holiday season. Something hand-made by you in one of Bangkok's happening craft shops. Don't worry, these joints aren't just for housewives.

19. Got a bad hangover from that office Christmas party? Be sure NOT to hit these Bangkok attractions.

20. Shake things up at the Japan Foundation’s “Twist and Shout” exhibition, featuring work by 17 contemporary Japanese artists at Bangkok’s Art and Culture Center.